How to get Rid of Blackheads and Whiteheads

Introduction

It needs care, time, patience, consistency, and effort to maintain a clear and beautiful skin.

The variety of products recommended by the dermatologist are generally expensive and take a long time to work.

Simply add some home remedies for blackheads and whiteheads into your daily beauty chart.

These simple methods will drastically reduce or even totally eliminate these blemishes within few weeks.

Blackheads

A plug on the surface of the skin is known as a blackhead. It is a hair follicle with an opening wider than the normal, which gets filled with dead skin cells, dirt, and sebum. It is also a form of acne usually black or yellow in color which can be treated by effective skin care. The black color is due to the oxidation of melanin.

Blackheads are formation because of oil, dirt or excessive use of make-up. The follicle gets blocked by the sebum and a blackhead is formed. The blackheads are usually formed on the face, nose, chest, back or any other part of the skin that has a lot of sebaceous glands. When sebaceous glands become extra active then the blackheads are created. The blackheads may occur at any age.

Whiteheads

These are also a type of acne. Both blackheads and whiteheads are called comedones which are a small black or white colored spot, often occurring as part of an acne outbreak. But whiteheads are the closed comedones. Whiteheads contain the same material that blocks the hair follicle in a blackhead, but here the opening is very small. Due to this reason, the melanin oxidation does not take place and the plug remains white in color.

Blackheads are embedded into the pores of the skin and their treatment works on the principle of cleaning these pores and purifying the blood.

Blackheads occur at any age but they affect the teenagers and adolescents the most. It is due to the hormonal changes in the body and the use of plenty of different cosmetic products.

A male with blackheads on nose | Source

A high resolution macro shot of a blackhead on the face of man | Source

Skin Care

Proper and consistent skin hygiene is the best to deal with blackheads and whiteheads.

Care should be taken in medications, bearing in mind the skin type and its sensitivity.

The use of pore strips are common, but it should be avoided because such removals are only temporary and skin damaging.

The blackhead or whitehead should be pressed gently with a clean tissue paper and before squeezing them, wash the face and hands with warm water.

Avoid the use of greasy creams and don't over-scrub the skin. Gently exfoliate the skin in order to remove dead skin cells and to prevent the follicle blockage.

Use non-comedogenic and oil-free products in make-up and clean the face thoroughly every day.

Include lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, plenty of water and vitamin supplements in the diet.

Home Remedies

Home remedies for skin and beauty care are very effective. Since old ages, the mankind has used natural ingredients for healthy skin, hair, and nails. These ingredients have vitamin and mineral supplementation and are easily available in the common household for ready use. Following are the effective tips for whiteheads and blackheads.

Drink plenty of water to prevent most of the skin problems. To calculate the water intake divide the body weight in half and drink that many ounces of water a daily. Regular exercises, especially aerobics bring oxygen to the cells and makes the skin healthy.

Regularly use a good and gentle cleanser twice a day, that is once in the morning and once before going to bed. This will keep the pores clean of dead skin cells and will also remove the build up of sebum. Also, use a gentle exfoliate to remove the dead skin cells from the pores that the cleaner could not remove. The blackheads could not be removed without exfoliating. By exfoliating, the skin clears the pores of dead skin cells and other oils which commonly clog the pores and create tiny black spots.

Exfoliating is done by the gel or liquid of salicylic acid. It is used to remove the extra cells from the surface of the skin. It goes inside the pores and allows the oil to flow out normally without any blockage and eliminates the blackheads. One can continue using these products even after the skin becomes clear. Do not over-exfoliate the skin. Because removing too many skin cells disrupts the normal balance and may hurt the skin.

Toothpaste removes blackheads and whiteheads. Apply thin paste and leave it on the face for about 25 minutes. Application of toothpaste gives a feeling of burning sensation, but this is normal and will soon be over. On removing the toothpaste, the top of the blackheads and whiteheads will disappear. Then thoroughly wash the face to remove the underneath buildup. Repeat it every other day for about two weeks. Use toothpaste on pimples too before going to bed to reduce further swelling overnight. Use paste, not the gel.

Tomatoes are natural antiseptics and dry up the whiteheads and the blackheads. Peel and mash the tomato and apply the pulp to the affected areas before going to bed and wash the with warm water in the morning.

Lemon is also a good home remedy. Wash the face with warm water.Squeeze the juice of one lemon and mix a pinch of salt in it. Apply the mixture and leave it for 20 minutes. Then again wash the face with warm water.

Lime juice mixed with equal parts of cinnamon powder and applied on blackheads, is left overnight and then rinsed in the morning, is the best home remedy.

Corn starch is mixed with vinegar in a ratio of three to one to male a paste. It is applied on problem areas and left for 15 to 30 minutes and then remove the paste with a washcloth soaked in warm water.

Yogurt and oatmeal are mixed in the ratio of three to two tablespoons with one teaspoon of olive oil plus one tablespoon of lemon juice. Thoroughly stir the mixture and apply it on the affected area of the face. Leave the mixture for five to seven minutes and rinse with cold water.

Almond or oatmeal is mixed with enough rose water to form a spreadable paste and apply it on problem areas with fingertips. Leave it for 15 minutes and then rinse with cold water.

Potatoes are grated raw and then rubbed on the affected area and then washed off after 15 minutes.

Fenugreek leaves are crushed and mixed with water to form a paste. Use this paste on the face for 15 minutes and then remove it. Use this remedy every night to keep the face free of blackheads.

Coriander leaves are mixed with a little turmeric powder and water to form a paste which is used as a mask to remove the blackheads.

Oatmeal- powder and then add some rose water is best to be applied on affected areas for 15 minutes and is then washed with cold water.

Baking soda paste prepared by mixing equal parts with warm water is rubbed it for 2-3 minutes on the face or other body areas prone to blackheads. Let it remain for 15 minutes and then rinse off with warm water.

Tea bags which are used are emptied and the contents are rubbed gently over affected areas. Do it twice a week as an effective blackheads and whiteheads treatment.

Honey is spread on the affected areas and removed after 15 minutes to treat blackheads and whiteheads. Also, apply warm honey to the problem areas to be washed after 10-15 minutes.

Moisturize the face with aloe-Vera gel which is is an antiseptic. It helps to control acne and heals the scars of acne or other blemishes.

Facial Scrubs

Brown sugar scrub- Mix brown sugar ( 2 tbsp ) and honey ( 2 tbsp ) in a small bowl. Thoroughly wash your hands, and apply the mixture with the fingertips in a round and circular motion. Apply over the entire face with extra massaging onto the affected areas. Then rinse with warm water and pat dry gently. Brown sugar scrub cleanses and exfoliates the skin. It removes the signs of damage caused on the skin by acne etc.

Baking soda scrub is good for stubborn blackheads or whiteheads. Make a paste of baking soda ( 1 tbsp ) with a few drops of water and massage on the affected areas in a round, circular motions for few minutes and then rinse with cold water.

Steam scrub opens the pores. Boil a pot of water and then stop heating. Drape a towel over the head and put the face over the rising steam for 10 minutes. Keep the face at least four inches away from the pot. In pregnancy or other medical conditions, only a few minutes are enough. Another option is to take a hot cloth not boiling hot one over the face till it cools.The steam o the shower, hot bath or warm water opens the pores and make the removal of blackheads and whiteheads easier. Don't wipe your nose, rather rub it gently with fingertips for 2-3 minutes after taking the bath. This remedy is best for sensitive skin.

Rice scrub is made by soaking rice in milk for 5 hours and then grinding it in a blender to form a paste. This paste used as a scrub on affected areas.

Egg Masque made from the egg white of one egg. Beat the egg till it becomes frothy. Then apply it on the face and neck. Allow it to remain for about 15 minutes or until it becomes dry. Thereafter wipe it off with a towel soaked in warm water. Egg masque tightens up the pores and forces the blackheads, whiteheads, and sebum to come out in order to reveal the clean, clear and glowing complexion.

Whole Milk and Salt mixture can also be applied to get rid of blackheads and whiteheads. Mix whole milk ( 4 tbsp ) and regular table salt ( 1 tbsp ) and stir thoroughly to blend. Massage the mixture gently and leave it on the skin to dry. Then rinse after 15 to 20 minute with cold water. This remedy can be repeated two times in a day. The unused mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for three to four days.

Oatmeal or almond powder are mixed with rose water to make a into a thin paste of homemade facial mask. Spread the paste over the entire face. Rinse with cold water after fifteen minutes.

Mixture of rosemary essential oil ( 1/2 tbsp ), almond oil ( 8 tbsp ), lime juice ( 3 tbsp ) and fenugreek seeds (1 tbsp) is made in blender and is applied topically to get rid of whiteheads and blackheads. Make a thin paste and gently massage on the skin and leave for 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water. Unused portion can be stored in the refrigerator for approximately five days.

Garlic, Orange Peel and Lemon Juice scrub

Fresh garlic cloves(2), orange peel ( 1/2 orange ) and lemon juice ( 3 tbsp ) are mixed in blender and apply the thick paste to the skin to get rid of blackheads and whiteheads. The mixture on the affected area is left for 10 minutes before rinsing. This remedy can be repeated twice a day till no irritation occurs.the unused mixture can be stored for two days.

Other Tips

Scrub the face with used green tea twice a week.

Always wash the face with medically acclaimed soap.

Apply inner skin of peeled potato on the blackheads.

Take care of your diet.Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Rub lemon skin on the face and wash after few minutes to open up the pores.

Grind the radish seeds with water and apply the paste to remove blackheads.

Always keep the face clean by washing it with plain or warm water twice a day.

Moisturize the skin after scrubs by jojoba oil to remove blackheads and whiteheads.

Place strawberry leaves on the blackhead. The alkalinity will open the blocked pores.

Apply the fresh mint juice on affected areas every night as a treatment for eczema, blackheads, insect stings and scabies.

Make a scrub of lemon juice ( 1 tbsp ) and ground cinnamon ( 1 tsp ) and repeat this application for a month every day in the mornings.

Mix corn flour with egg white and let it dry for 1/2 hour on the affected areas. Massage with wet hands and then wash off. Repeated use gives you a smooth skin.

Mix the juice of one lemon with an equal amount of rose water. Apply it on affected areas and let it stay for about half an hour. Then rinse the face with fresh water.Continue with this remedy for 15 days to reduce the blemishes, scars, and blackheads.

Mix one and a half cup of hot water with boric powder ( half tbsp ). Soak the face napkin in the solution and pat on the face for 5 minutes then rub the face with a cotton ball as a remedy for blackheads.

Mix turmeric powder (1 tbsp ) and fresh juice of coriander leaves. Apply the face pack daily at night before going to sleep. Wash with water in the morning. Repeat the remedy till blackheads are removed.

Precautions

Make an allergic test for all homemade or store bought facial products.

Exfoliating more than 2 to 3 times a week will drain out the natural skin oils.

Do not prick the blackhead or whitehead forcefully. When one is removed the seeds for other blackheads are sown. Because when pressure is applied the dead skin cells and sebum get pushed into other pores and the situation becomes worse. Before squeezing, open the pores by having a bath, or just washing your face with a hot towel. But in 9 times out of 10 cases, the squeezing proves to be counter-productive.